IT'S always a lot harder to lose the weight than it is to put it on and that's why a free program to help overweight kids get healthy has been developed.

Go4Fun is a free program for children aged 7 to13 years old who are above a healthy weight and their families.

Northern NSW Local Health District health promotion manager Jillian Adams said about a quarter of all Australian children were overweight or obese.

"This can lead to problems later in life such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers but can also cause problems in childhood and interfere with normal growth and development," she said.

"Go4Fun has been running since July 2009 in NSW, delivering 175 programs to more than 1200 families.

Ms Adams said program participants on average have achieved marked improvements in cardio respiratory fitness, significant decrease in waist circumferences and overall improvements in self-esteem and confidence.

"Go4Fun is not a diet and does not encourage rapid weight loss in children; rather it is about empowerment by putting the child at the centre of a range of ways to make healthy lifestyle changes in terms of physical activity, food, self-confidence and personal development," she said.

"By following the Go4Fun principles, participants will lose weight naturally and thereby build a foundation for healthy living, for life."

The program will run at Murwillumbah Community Centre from May 2, Thursdays only from 4-6pm.

If you're in Tweed Heads a program will launch at South Tweed Community Centre from April 30 on Tuesdays from 4pm until 6pm.

Parents and interested participants can call 1800 780 900 for more information or to book in.